Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) stipulates that all “places of accommodation” be accessible to those with disabilities; This means that all types of people must have the same access to information and services a business provides. “Places of accommodation” has historically included physical spaces, such as retail shops and restaurants, but in recent years lawsuits filed over websites not compliant with ADA have increased, which makes it all the more important to ensure that credit union web design includes ADA compliance.
It is important for financial services like credit unions to have accessible websites because of the importance of the services they offer and the range of customers they serve. Having an ADA-compliant website also means reaching as many customers as possible.
Why Credit Union Website Design Must Include ADA Compliance
The Department of Justice will release official compliance guidelines for private websites in 2018. However, you should make sure your site is accessible right now to avoid possible litigation, as some companies have already been sued. There are plenty of resources and tools you can use to reach ADA compliance, such as various website checkers, written guidelines, and services that specialize in accessible credit union website design.
Online Guides for Website Accessibility
Cuna Mutual Group RISK Alert: Actionable Insights for Bond Policyholders
This document details the risk of maintaining non-ADA compliant websites specifically for credit unions. It explains the level of the risk and provides various resources that you can use to circumvent any problems with credit union website design.
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
The WAI is the general agreed-upon standard for web accessibility in the world of web developers and designers. It is used across the board for all different types of websites. It includes 12 guidelines under the umbrella of 4 fundamental principles: websites must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Reading and understanding how to implement these guidelines is a significant step toward accessibility.
ADA Compliance Check for Credit Union Websites
This tool lets you test your website against several standards for web accessibility, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) of the WAI and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act; This is a quick way to let you know in exactly which areas your website may be falling short.
ADA Compliance Website Service
If you find your website does not meet accessibility standards or ADA compliance, one of the easiest ways to get it up to snuff is to hire an experienced website design service that knows the ins and outs of web accessibility standards. They can make changes and improvements so that none of your potential customers are barred from accessing your information or utilizing your services.
Credit Union Website Design That is ADA Compliant
Not only should your credit union website be ADA compliant for legal reasons, it should also be compliant for the ease of use, convenience, and satisfaction of your customers. Ensuring your credit union website design holds up to standards already in place is a way to showcase your trustworthiness and dependability. Letting it slide is a risk that you can’t afford to take. Thrive Internet Marketing is experienced with ADA compliant web design and will help you get your site up to ADA standards. Don’t wait for a lawsuit – contact Thrive.
